Well, there was that time Bad Robert called to ask me if I knew how to get baby oil stains out of a fabric car seat, but this one was pretty strange.

My friend Natsuki called because a plumber couldn't understand her. Never mind that she speaks perfect English, the guy she hired to install a sink claimed he didn't know what she was saying. Natsuki was calling to ask if she could explain what she wanted to me, then have me explain it to the guy. Bewildered as to how this could possibly be happening, I agreed. After I had gone over everything with the plumber, he thanked me and then added "I wish these people would get educated before they move here."

Needless to say, I came unglued.

"Oh really?" I replied. "Natsuki not only holds a design degree, she also speaks Japanese, Chinese, French, and English... how many f#@%ing languages do YOU speak? Maybe YOU'RE the one who needs to be educated in how to listen to people!"

Seriously, WTF? I understand that some people have difficulty understanding an accent, but that wasn't the problem here. Natsuki's English is perfectly understandable, and there was no reason at all for a comment like that... the plumber was just being a lazy asshole who apparently has a problem with foreigners... or women... or, more likely, both. I'd bet serious money that if the plumber ever went to Japan, he wouldn't bother to learn a word of Japanese first.

Comments

That plumber guy definitely sounds like a jerk. I can’t agree with you about that Spider-Man doll though. Toys like that freak me out. They remind me of that nightmarish Teddy Ruxpin. Certain toys should not move on their own.

Hey, I have a baby!! Clive would love a Spidey – sure he’s only 4 months old, and we don’t technically know each other, but who introduced you to the Coke with Lime cheergirls? If by introduced you mean showed you a photo… ok, never mind.

at least the plumber was honest about his behavior. it’s the ones that are totally racist and does everything in their power to undermine anyone that doesn’t meet their racial standards. those are the truly scary ones.

your friend should have kicked him to the curb and just hired someone else. still, i’m sorry your friend had to deal with such a jerkoff.

Umm, I own one. There are no kids in my house and I was completely sober when I bought it. He sits next to my Darth Tater (Mr Potato Head as Darth Vader) and looks badass flashing what I think has got to be a metal sign. The music sucks hard though, kinda like that plumber.

Caught the commercial for the dancing Spidey on TV last week and nearly got a cavity because it is so SWEET! The plumber guy is a dork, but I could be guilty of something even worse: When I can’t understand someone’s accent I listen intently and do my best to decipher what they’re saying, but if that doesn’t work, I just pretend that I understand… YIKES! Time to re-think my strategy.

I never give excuses for buying stuff or watching stuff that is silly or childish. Screw ’em. If I want to watch Spongebob all day, I can. That’s what being an adult means. That and me not having to eat my vegetables.

Is it just me or does that little Spidey look exactly like Lil Dave would in a Spidey suit?

Ya ever think about what the police would think if they had to go thru your home if something were to (heaven forbid) happen to you? What would your parents say? Sooooo, what’s one more little 3 yr. old’s toy going to matter? (It’s because of this very thought that I got rid of my *toy* drawer.)

OK – just buy the spider man. I won’t say anything. After all I’m sitting here looking at the 3 Star Wars potato Heads on top of the TV, the Furby on my dresser, and I have bazillions of rubber ducks at work on my desk. You deserve it.

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